DO TEACHERS DESERVE MORE?

Dear Betsy, DO you really think those greedy nurses deserve a 50 per cent pay rise? What about teachers?

Do they not deserve more than anyone else as they have a difficult task to educate those bad mannered children that we breed today. I don't think you can highlight only the nurses. Be fair to society and give teachers more money.

Fair-Minded Lady.

Dear Fair-Minded Lady,

I don't think it is reasonable or realistic for anyone to expect a 50 per cent pay rise, but I do think the nurses deserve some sort of a realistic increase, as I stated last week.

I did mention that the police and fire services were also deserving - but you are right about teachers too.

I guess you are talking about government-employed teachers, as it is my understanding that private schools generally pay well to attract the best teachers.

However, surely it would not only be great to reward them more financially but also to offer them more training to better equip them with modern techniques and enable them to teach our kids to the highest standards?

Many teachers need, or would like, to upgrade their knowledge and techniques, but are not always afforded the opportunity to do so.

Also, let's reward them with something much more valuable ... better parental support!

It must seem like a thankless arduous task to try to educate some of the rowdy, ill-mannered kids of today, but let's be honest; many parents are to blame for this.

They don't teach their kids basic good manners or respect and without that, education means nothing. "Manners maketh a man" and trust me, if you are rude and disrespectful, then no amount of Masters or PhD degrees are going to change that, so education must begin at home with sound family values.

l What do other readers think about this? Write to me with your views on education and good manners at betsymathieson@hotmail.com

Dear Betsy,

Please give me a recipe for a simple, refreshing salad that is nutritionally sound and easy to make. I am one of those 'home alone' husbands who can't cook and frankly it is just too hot.

I want some cool foods high in water content like you discussed in one of your previous pages.

Alan G.

Dear Alan G,

Start by choosing some fresh salad leaves.

The supermarkets are full of fresh roquette, mixed leaves and fresh baby spinach.

I like to mix them and have a nice pile of leaves as a base for my salads. If you are a cheese lover then piling up slices of ripe fresh pears, cubes of stilton and toasted pine nuts with a sharp vinaigrette dressing is delicious.

Try also some grilled prawns with slices of pink grapefruit, chopped yellow peppers and home-made marie rose sauce. This is easy to make by mixing some tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, lemon juice and a dash of Tabasco, for a yummy dressing.

A classic Caesar salad with chunks of char-grilled chicken, baby tomatoes, anchovies, parmesan shavings, cubes of wholemeal bread croutons and crumbled beef bacon results in a substantial meal.

Meat lovers can try marinating some strips of beef in soy sauce, lemon juice and garlic then grilling them. Mix with some leaves, stir-fried broccoli and mushrooms, toasted sesame seeds and chopped spring onion for an oriental salad.

Of course, you can't beat a good fresh fruit salad right now.

Water melon, sweet melon, pink grapefruit, blueberries, pineapple, raspberries, luscious strawberries, mangoes, papaya and thin slices of crisp green apples drenched in a mixture of pineapple and orange juice with a squeeze of lemon will hit the spot nicely, Alan.

If you want to treat yourself then add a generous dollop of ice cream or go overboard and have it with fresh cream AND ice cream!

Hope this gives you some ideas to build on, but anyway, I am sure you won't starve.

Dear Betsy,

I keep reading your articles about jojoba oil and pure essential oils. I cannot find them on sale in Bahrain, where can I find them?

Shona.

Dear Shona,

I am sorry to say that I have not been able to locate any jojoba oil on the island.

As for pure essential oils, they are few and far between, as most shops sell perfumed or chemical-based oils instead.

Nasser Pharmacy do have a limited range, as do Jawads in Budaiya, but neither of them have a full range on offer.

Have any of our readers found these items available anywhere in the kingdom?

If so please write in and share this information with our readers by emailing betsymathieson@hotmail.com

BETSY SAYS RELAX

IF swollen feet or achy legs are bothering you this summer then try this simple relaxation exercise.

Lie on the floor with your bottom right up against the wall and your legs raised straight up the wall (lying at a right angle). Allow your legs to be supported by the wall, lay your arms by your sides, palms up and breathe deeply as you let yourself relax for five to 15 minutes. It's guaranteed to put a spring back in your (slim) legs.

IF ONLY YOU DO ONE THING THIS WEEK

Fall in love with life. You only have one shot at it so instead of grumbling and focusing on what you DON'T have be thankful and grateful for what you do have and embrace each new day with a smile and a glad heart.